This week I received an Email from Professor David Nutt also from our Manerva ;]
Buprenorphine in the form of TEMGESIC 200mcg is available from your GP also I suspect Norspan patches which is buprenorphine dosing starting at 5mg.
Buprenorphine is a very superior drug it hangs onto very few receptors in the brain which is very helpful when it comes to addiction. It is in the same category as Methadone however a lot more friendly.
Half-life is 24 hours which is great for the all day suffers like myself.
The form I am on[subutex] is not available in the UK.
Buprenorphine has saved my life and others I have introduced to it.
For most people I know who have buprenorphine it it has worked perfectly .
One lady said to me tonight 10 hours sleep not even a bathroom break.
No daytime sleepiness, only side effect has been constipation an easy fix .
There have been a couple of people it has not agreed with but that could also perhaps been from coming off there old meds to quick.
I was on
20 mg OXYCODONE nightly
2 x 5 mg endone during the day
Stillnox nightly.
I did a straight switch in one night , it worked immediately.
Some of you will need to wean off other medications whist adding buprenorphine.
All this gave me was 4 hours sleep and alzheimers type symptoms I had NO memory at all, I could not even hold a conversation with my family as i could not remember what was said. I was in a very bad way my family were terrified and looking at care homes for meIwas only 57.
If you look at my profile you will see some of my horror story.
My condition lead me from a hospital bed in Australia straight to the USA for help I spent 5 days in the John Hopkins, Proffesor John Winkelman Boston and Dr Glen Brooks in NYC all are in agreeance that buprenorphine is gold and should be first line treatment not last.
When I asked Professor Winkelman why it was not offered first he said they use Methadone becuase it is a lot cheaper for Americains, Australian Doctors have zero clue about RLS and treatment they are still stuck on Sifrol .
I recomend that you write a letter of your medication failures and all the horrific side effects especially the suicidal thoughts. I wrote them all down as they dont ask your doctors history.
You have to say you have been on nearly everything old and new drugs to get to this kind of medication [buprenorphine ]which puts you in the Refractory category.
SO ENSURE YOU SAY THAT YOU HAVE REFRACTORY RLS which simply means that you have tried everything unsatisfactorly.
Professor Nutt from the UK says no specialist appointment required just ask your GP
Temgesic 200 mcg
OR
Norspan patches starting at 5mg
2 mg suppository form I am not sure if this available in UK It is in Japan.
If you live in the UK and are suffering from augmentation or your meds dont work this might be a good option for you .
I hope this helps some of you good people of the UK
TEMGESIC AUGMENTING?
